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42
After she hungup the phone, Miranda returned to her sorting of crumpled bits of aircraft.
“Miranda,” Susan called out.
“Yes?” She didn’t stop.
“Was that General Nason on the phone?” Susan took a guess as they’d spoken a surprising number of times in the last twelve hours.
“Yes.”
“And he wants the team somewhere else?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Brunei.” She looked as if it caused her physical pain to say that.
“When?”
“Not for a while. Three hours.”
Susan sighed and turned to the captain. “It appears that we have a request from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to move this team to Brunei for a meeting. What transport can you spare?”
“A C-2 Greyhound or a Seahawk could have you there in time. Spare? Christ, you people are going to make me nuts. I’m short on C-2s because they’re moving bodies out and emergency supplies in. And I’m short on Seahawks because I’m working an anti-submarine perimeter six hundred kilometers in circumference.”
“We need something to—”
“Yes. Yes. I understand, I just don’t have to like it. Okay, as soon as they’re done with the tail section recovery, I’ll break loose a C-2. That’s assuming they don’t drop that radar mast across my flightline. And no, you can’t keep it. I want my plane refueled and turned back around immediately.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Susan saluted. “And, ma’am, if I may say that, based on what I’ve seen, I agree that your promotion is fully deserved.”
“Promotion into hell.”
“ ‘It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure!’ ” Susan offered the Navy Recruiting slogan with a grin. It was the one that had been used when she herself was in college.
“Christ, Commander, please tell me I’m not that old.”
“Only some of us, Captain.” They traded smiles.
“So, what has she learned?” Brightman nodded toward Miranda.
“Who knows? She never states anything until she’s absolutely positive of the facts.”
“Possibilities?”
Susan waited, knowing that Miranda often heard without showing she was paying attention.
Nothing.
Susan shook her head. “Guess not.”
“Perfect. Just perfect.” Brightman held out her phone, with the number showing on the screen.
Susan snapped a photo with her own phone. Her nod promised that she’d call the moment she learned anything concrete.
The captain turned away, headed for the aircraft maintenance shop.
